President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened to declare a national emergency to keep control of Washington police force beyond 30 days.
Trump told reporters that he may bypass Congress if it doesn't approve an extension to his federalization plan.
His threat comes after he seized control of the city's police force and deployed the National Guard into what he described as "one of the most dangerous cities anywhere in the world."
The president, however, confirmed his administration intends to seek congressional approval, saying "long-term extensions" are necessary.
"If it's a national emergency, we can do it without Congress," Trump said during a press conference at the Kennedy Center in Washington. "But we expect to be before Congress very quickly."
Trump said he believes congressional Republicans will rally behind his plan.
"We think the Democrats will not do anything to stop crime, but we think the Republicans will do it almost unanimously. So we're going to need a crime bill. That we're going to be putting in, and it's going to pertain initially to D.C. We're going to use it as a very positive example, " he added.
Trump noted he didn't seek approval from Congress to secure the border and was told his efforts would take years. Instead, Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border and "that was the end of it," he said.
His efforts to federalize Washington represent a major escalation in the federal crackdown on crime in the nation's capital following the assault of a former DOGE staffer.
"I don't want to call a national emergency, but if I have to, I will," Trump said.
Meanwhile, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser has claimed that violent crime in the city is at its lowest level in 30 years.
Trump has also suggested Chicago and New York City could be the next cities to be placed under a federal takeover if elected leaders don’t address their own crime and homelessness issues.